Aeroplane flotation device



Feb. 24, 1925.

1 1,527,735 J. C. HUNSAKER AEROPLANE 'FLOTATI ON DEVICE Filed Aug. 11. 192), 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 g Yuk-11% 0% LI afizznsaz'er Feb. 24, 1925.

C. HUNSAKER AERQPLANE FLOTATION DEVICE Fijled Aug. 11, 1921 Z SMQts -Shmt 2 Patented Feb. 24, 1925 JEROME C. HUNSAKER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

AEROPLA'NE FLOTATION DEVICE.

Application filed August 11, 1921. Serial No. 491,449.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J EBOME C. HUNsAKnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at YVashington, District of Columbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Aeroplane Flotation Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in aeroplanes and more particularly to a device for floating aeroplanes which normally have no provision for'landing in the water. One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an attachment for aeroplanes of simple and practical construction which may be easil and quickly applied to aeroplanes which allow them to float on the water in the event that a landing has to be made for any reason whatsoever. I

It is desirable to use land planes provided with landing wheels forflyingofi' ships but if these planes are used ordinarily and forced to land, for any reason, in the water, they will float only so long as there is sufiicient buoyancy given the plane by reason of 'the air which is contained and trapped within the interior of the wings.

In the case of metal aeroplanes, it is very probable that the wing covering would not be water tight and, in that',event,,the plane would sink almost immediately with ffeonseqllient danger to the personnel {operating the ane.

p It mayhave been attempted to employ devices of the above general character for accomplishing flotation in the water but such mechanisms have been unsatisfactory partly for the reason that they require complicated gear'or apparatus within the fuselage and fixed or permanently installed air chambers inside the fuselage. Such apparatus is impractical for many reasons and the present invention is designed to overcome the ob jections heretofore experienced by provid ing an attachment which may be easily and quickly applied just prior to flight if 'de sired to any land plane as well as a device which may bezequally easily removed after it has served its purpose.

Other objects will, be in part obvious and in part pointed out in connection with the annexed sheets of drawings illustrating one of various possible, embodiments 'of the invention and wherein like characters denote corresponding parts in the several views.

In these drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective viewshowingan aeroplane in. flight equipped with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a detail perspective view, partly in section, showing one of the wings with the flotation bag secured thereto.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional View of the apparatus applied to the wing, the. wing being shown in transverse section.

- Referring now to the drawing in detail the aeroplane of the usual land type is provided with a lower wing 5, landing or take-oil"- wheels 6 mounted upon the usual struts and supports 7.

The present invention resides largely in the inflatable air bag 8 which-is attached to and fitted around the 'wing 5 of the aeroplane. Preferably two of the airbags were employed one at each side of the. fuselage 10. The only pro-visions required on the wing to take this air bag are suitable strips such as canvas or the like which are firmly'secured to and through the Wings.- Two or more of such strips are provided for each air bag. The air bagitself may be com posed of one ba or. a bag with a diaphragm 11 as shown in ig'ure 3 or a number of in ternalbladders or diaphragms to subdivide the bag into small compartments. The bag is preferably streamlined in shape so as to cut down its air resistance as much as possible. Provision is made for securing the air bag to such material permanently attached to the wings as above stated by means of lacings 12 or other desired fastening means. The bag itself may be secured at the outside points whereit 'lies adjacent to the wing or in the event of a very large and wide bag it would be attached to the wing in a deflated condition which would permit any number of lacing strips to be applied at intervals along the wing beneath the air bag. In the latter case the airbag could be inflated after .it had been securely laced to the wing as by means of the valves 13. In the'event of a plurality of'compartloo ments within the airbag it would, of course, be necessary to provide a valve for each compartment as shown in Figure 3.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a simple and practical attachment adapted to be easily and quickly attached to the wings of an aeroplane for use at sea when desired.

What I claim is 1. In combination with an aeroplane, 11,

means for providing flotation thereof, comprising an air bag mounted upon and encircling saidwing.

2. In combination with an aeroplane,

means for providing flotation thereof by aplurahty of air bags secured to the lower wing, the air bag partially enclosing the wing on both top and bottom sides thereof and gaining support therefrom.

3. In combination with an aeroplane, means for providing flotation thereof by a plurality of air bags secured to the lower wing, the air bag partially enclosing the wing on both top and bottom sides thereof and gaining support: therefrom, said air bag being provided with a plurality of air tight compartments.

4. In combination with an aeroplane, means for providing flotation thereof by a plurality of air bags secured to the lower wing, the air bag-partially enclosing, wing on both top and bottom' sides thereof and gaining support therefrom, said bag being provided with a pluralityof airtight compartments an-dmeans whereby each of said con'ipartments may be filled as desired.

1 5. In combination with an aeroplane,

an attachment therefor for providing flotation comprising a detachable air bag adapted to partially surround the wing and positioned both on the upper and under surfaces thereof and means permitting said at tachment to be easily and quiclzl applied or taken off.

6. In combination with an aeroplane having a lower wing, a flotation bagencircling both the top and bottom of the win; and adapted to, be secured thereto. cooperating means 011 said bag and wing whereby the bag may be easily and quickly attach-ed and detached.

7. In combination with an aeroplane having a lower Wing, at flotation bapencircling both the top and bottom of the wing and adapted to be secured thereto, cooperate,

ing means on said ban and wing whereby the bag maybe e'asil and quickly attached and detached, said bag containing a plurality of air tight compartments with means whereby they may be filled or deflated as desired.

Signed at \Vasliington, District of Columbia.

JEROME C, HU N SAKER. 

